Regular Admission
A person applying for admission to the D.Min. program should be regularly employed in some form of professional ministry. If you consider yourself to be in a tent-making ministry, you must show that your work is recognized as a legitimate ministry by the church, para-church organization, or community of faith to which you belong. In addition, you will be expected to show evidence of:

1. The M.Div. or an equivalent theological degree from an accredited theological school.
2. Ordination or its equivalency.
3. At least three years' experienc.e in ministry after graduation from theological school.
4. Academic competence or potential (ordinarily through a sufficient grade point average in previous academic work).
5. English language skills, as follows:
   All applicants for whom English is a second language must pass the TOEFL exam with a score of at least 550 (213 if computer-based, 79-80 if internet-based) prior to admission into the program.

Provisional Admission
Applicants who do not meet all the formal requirements, may be admitted on a provisional basis, and advanced to full admission when they complete certain conditions. For example, students who are ineligible to be admitted for the D Min program because they do not have a M.Div. degree or its equivalency may be granted provisional admission while they take additional graduate level theological courses necessary to meet the equivalency requirements.  In such cases, an applicant must have at the time of the admission at least 48 graduate theological units.  He or she must then secure up to an additional 18 units.  These additional units will focus on subject areas felt to be deficit in the student's array of earlier course work, as determined by the APS committee.

Admission Deadlines
Intensive Option: March 15
Extended Option: June 1
Late Admission: This is possible in some cases; contact the office.

Application Materials
Application materials include a two-page application form and six reference forms. All applications must be submitted in English and will become part of the Seminary's permanent record. Please review the application form for a list of materials required for application. You may download the application materials below or contact Pat Perry at pperry@sfts.edu.

Tuition and Fees
As of June 2012, total tuition for the program is $13,450. Tuition rates may change after May 2013.

Summer Term Continuing Education
Eligible clergy may attend any of these seminars as continuing education courses. This opportunity is available to a limited number. Interested persons should request a copy of the policies governing such participation from the Advanced Pastoral Studies office.

$750 Two-week seminar
$840 Room and board for two weeks

Financial Aid and Veterans' Benefits
Financial assistance may be available from a number of sources, including:

• the budget of the student's congregation or employing agency;
• scholarships, fellowships, and grants-in-aid by church agencies and foundations;
• private gifts given directly to the student or through SFTS.

We regret that there are no scholarship or loan funds from SFTS. The program is, however, approved for veterans' benefits.

Debt Balance
Any student who falls in arrears in payments to the Seminary is barred from proceeding to the next learning experience in the program. All financial obligations to SFTS must be paid before a candidate may participate in the commencement exercises or receive a diploma.